Q is a music magazine aimed at 24-44 males, this is due to the in-depth articles that feature in the magazine, also the artists that feature are the “serious” ones; this is not a magazine that covers the likes of McFly. The target audience would be interested in a wide range of music; they would also be interested in reading thorough articles on these acts.
The single lettered title is prominent on the newsstands, seeing as other magazines have a whole word title, this tells us that the magazine will feature only the acts that ‘stand out’. The ‘Q’ leans slightly to the left; this shows that the magazine not only covers mainstream acts but also the ‘left-field’ acts that don’t usually get coverage in the main news press. Also the shadowing effect connotes how Q’s readership follows them; we trust what we read in the magazine.
From the front cover, we can see by the puffs that the magazine will consist of articles on a range of acts; from Vampire Weekend to 50 Cent. It also consists of features on new artists as the puff reads ‘The 10 Best New Acts’ but also well established artists such as U2 and Biffy Clyro. The buzz word ‘Best’ makes the readership believe that Q magazine will only feature the most prestigious of artists, we also feel that they want us to have the best; they are giving us value for money.
The anchorage text attached to the central image of Cheryl Cole tells the readership that the main feature in the magazine will be on her.
The central image of Cheryl Cole has a direct mode of address; Q wants the reader to feel as if they have a relationship with her, they want the reader to feel attached to the Cheryl and therefore feel as if they have to buy the magazine. Cheryl is on the cover due to the fact that she has recently released her first solo album, she needs to promote her singles and albums for them to be successful. Also as Q is aimed at males, Cheryl Cole makes an attractive draw for readers seeing as she was voted number one in FHM’s top 100 sexiest females in 2009.
The anchorage text attached to her reads “3 Words ... Cheryl Cole, Rocks”, this is an intertextual reference to her album that is titled ‘3 Words’. Also the magazine is trying to detach Cheryl from her pop image; as she is in the girl band Girls Aloud she may not appeal to the readership on their musical credibility. However, by the edgy central image and saying that she ‘rocks’, the readership may start to believe that she has left her pop days behind her.
From the image, we get the idea that Cheryl is conveying the message that she is not only ‘sexy’ but also edgy. The image has an intertextual reference to the film ‘Sin City’, this is a film that Qs readers should be familiar with, and this ensures that the reader will not be alienated by the magazine and by the fact that a pop artist is featuring. The red lipstick connotes sexuality to the readership; this is due to the fact that it is predominantly by males. However, female readers may see the lipstick as connoting power, as we typically attribute this to business types when it’s combined with black clothing. This is also combined with the pointed ring that looks like a claw; for females again this would connote power; however the ring caters for the male readership as she is licking the tip in a seductive way.
From this front cover, females are being represented in a stereotypical way, no matter what magazine a female features on they are always shown in a seductive or attractive manner. This also stereotypes the readership as the magazine is showing us what we stereotypically want to see; males want a sexy image and females want to see someone that we can aspire to.
The Colours of the magazine follow a black, white and red theme; this is due to the reference to Sin City which also follows this theme. Also it ties in directly with Cheryl’s new ‘rock’ image and Q’s prestigious style. The colours and central image creates a dark atmosphere, but also a very ‘cool’ one, the imagery makes the readers aspire to be like Cheryl as she sheds her former image for this photo shoot. The Block title is also in red and white; the background of red connotes power and danger, with its standing out in the music stand and the white demonstrates how it is a prestigious magazine. This is heightened by the fact that the rating Q gives an artist features on their advertising campaign. Also the red and white would appeal to the English readership as they are the colours of their national flag.
The Slogan for the magazine reads ‘The UK’s Biggest Music Magazine’, this shows Q’s self confidence that it is the best magazine for music in the UK. It also gives the readership the sense that everyone will be catered for; if it is the biggest then it has to feature a wide range of artists from various genres, this is something that Q manages to do.
The fonts used on the magazine as simple, blocked ones. This makes the magazine easy to read at first glance, this ensures that they entice a broad readership as the font appeals to everybody.
The magazine attempts to attract the audience by mentioning a wide range of artists in the puffs, the audience are more likely to spot an artist they like in the long list. They also make the audience feel that they will be ahead of everyone else in the music world as they reveal the best acts of 2010, even before the year has fully started.
The single lettered title is prominent on the newsstands, seeing as other magazines have a whole word title, this tells us that the magazine will feature only the acts that ‘stand out’. The ‘Q’ leans slightly to the left; this shows that the magazine not only covers mainstream acts but also the ‘left-field’ acts that don’t usually get coverage in the main news press. Also the shadowing effect connotes how Q’s readership follows them; we trust what we read in the magazine.
From the front cover, we can see by the puffs that the magazine will consist of articles on a range of acts; from Vampire Weekend to 50 Cent. It also consists of features on new artists as the puff reads ‘The 10 Best New Acts’ but also well established artists such as U2 and Biffy Clyro. The buzz word ‘Best’ makes the readership believe that Q magazine will only feature the most prestigious of artists, we also feel that they want us to have the best; they are giving us value for money.
The anchorage text attached to the central image of Cheryl Cole tells the readership that the main feature in the magazine will be on her.
The central image of Cheryl Cole has a direct mode of address; Q wants the reader to feel as if they have a relationship with her, they want the reader to feel attached to the Cheryl and therefore feel as if they have to buy the magazine. Cheryl is on the cover due to the fact that she has recently released her first solo album, she needs to promote her singles and albums for them to be successful. Also as Q is aimed at males, Cheryl Cole makes an attractive draw for readers seeing as she was voted number one in FHM’s top 100 sexiest females in 2009.
The anchorage text attached to her reads “3 Words ... Cheryl Cole, Rocks”, this is an intertextual reference to her album that is titled ‘3 Words’. Also the magazine is trying to detach Cheryl from her pop image; as she is in the girl band Girls Aloud she may not appeal to the readership on their musical credibility. However, by the edgy central image and saying that she ‘rocks’, the readership may start to believe that she has left her pop days behind her.
From the image, we get the idea that Cheryl is conveying the message that she is not only ‘sexy’ but also edgy. The image has an intertextual reference to the film ‘Sin City’, this is a film that Qs readers should be familiar with, and this ensures that the reader will not be alienated by the magazine and by the fact that a pop artist is featuring. The red lipstick connotes sexuality to the readership; this is due to the fact that it is predominantly by males. However, female readers may see the lipstick as connoting power, as we typically attribute this to business types when it’s combined with black clothing. This is also combined with the pointed ring that looks like a claw; for females again this would connote power; however the ring caters for the male readership as she is licking the tip in a seductive way.
From this front cover, females are being represented in a stereotypical way, no matter what magazine a female features on they are always shown in a seductive or attractive manner. This also stereotypes the readership as the magazine is showing us what we stereotypically want to see; males want a sexy image and females want to see someone that we can aspire to.
The Colours of the magazine follow a black, white and red theme; this is due to the reference to Sin City which also follows this theme. Also it ties in directly with Cheryl’s new ‘rock’ image and Q’s prestigious style. The colours and central image creates a dark atmosphere, but also a very ‘cool’ one, the imagery makes the readers aspire to be like Cheryl as she sheds her former image for this photo shoot. The Block title is also in red and white; the background of red connotes power and danger, with its standing out in the music stand and the white demonstrates how it is a prestigious magazine. This is heightened by the fact that the rating Q gives an artist features on their advertising campaign. Also the red and white would appeal to the English readership as they are the colours of their national flag.
The Slogan for the magazine reads ‘The UK’s Biggest Music Magazine’, this shows Q’s self confidence that it is the best magazine for music in the UK. It also gives the readership the sense that everyone will be catered for; if it is the biggest then it has to feature a wide range of artists from various genres, this is something that Q manages to do.
The fonts used on the magazine as simple, blocked ones. This makes the magazine easy to read at first glance, this ensures that they entice a broad readership as the font appeals to everybody.
The magazine attempts to attract the audience by mentioning a wide range of artists in the puffs, the audience are more likely to spot an artist they like in the long list. They also make the audience feel that they will be ahead of everyone else in the music world as they reveal the best acts of 2010, even before the year has fully started.
Excellent analysis, very thorough, clear understanding of image contruction.
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